Gabriel is one of the most popular old-timers in Kawakawa and one of a kind, locals say.
She spent her life working in the historical Northland town, retiring several years ago. At 78 years-old she's very creaky in the joints and could do with a good overhaul.
But, once Gabriel's back up to speed she'll more than pull her weight around the community again.
Gabriel is a train engine. Built in 1927, she is the last survivor of only four ever built.
That unique pedigree means the archaic engine Gabriel is the target of a well-oiled restoration campaign led by the Bay of Islands Vintage Railways Trust.
So far, $80,000 has been raised from the Bay of Islands community alone, and grants applications are also in the pipeline.
A fundraising dinner and auction - with a celebrity guest, if plans stay on track - will be held at the Copthorne Hotel on September 16 to raise more funds for Gabriel's restoration.
"She really is the icon of the railway," trust fundraising manager Frank Leadley said.
"There's so much history in Kawakawa and it's one of those things New Zealand needs to hang on to."
But Gabriel is only one of the trust's projects in Kawakawa, the first town in the North Island to have a railway line.
The old railway sheds and workshops need replacing and a growing collection of rolling stock needs housing while awaiting restoration.
The railway was built to carry coal to the port at Opua.
After the line closed to freight many years ago a popular tourist-focused passenger service ran between the two townships, but that too closed in 1999 when the Land Transport Safety Authority revoked its licence.
The trust has tackled restoration of the line, too.
One day the engine Gabriel will again haul passenger carriages to and from Opua, the trust hopes.
And not only could the train be picking up tourists from the Opua wharf and taking them to Kawakawa's famous Hundertwasser toilets, but local people might once again be employed in railway workshops, Mr Leadley said.
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